What sort of treatments are available for chronic headaches?

I am not a doctor and I never finished medical school. You should consult your doctor if you have and questions or concerns. This is not medical advice it is information to assist you in your search for answers.

Thank you. "Definition Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you may be experiencing a variety of head pain known as chronic daily headaches.An estimated 3 percent to 5 percent of adults worldwide experience chronic daily headaches.

The most common type of chronic daily headaches is divided into four subtypes: * Chronic migraine * Chronic tension-type headache * New daily persistent headache * Hemicrania continua The incessant nature of chronic daily headaches makes them among the most disabling headaches. Aggressive initial treatment and steady, long-term management may reduce pain and lead to fewer headaches. Symptoms By definition, chronic daily headaches must occur at least 15 days a month, for more than three months.

The signs and symptoms vary depending on the specific subtype: Chronic migraine * Usually evolves from episodic migraine without aura * Includes at least two of the following — affects only one side of your head, pulsating or throbbing pain, moderate to severe intensity, aggravated by physical activity * Includes at least one of the following — nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound Chronic tension-type headache * Usually evolves from episodic tension-type headaches * Typically hurts on both sides of your head * Mild to moderate pain, often described as pressing or tightening * May include mild nausea or sensitivity to light or sound New daily persistent headache * Starts suddenly and occurs daily within three days of onset * Hurts on both sides of your head * Feels like a tightening or pressing sensation, not throbbing * Mild to moderate intensity * Sometimes includes one of the following — mild nausea, sensitivity to sound or sensitivity to light Hemicrania continua * Hurts on only one side of the head and pain never shifts sides * Daily and consistent, with no pain-free periods * Moderate intensity, interspersed with brief instances of severe pain * Includes at least one of the following — tearing or redness of the eye on the affected side, nasal congestion or runny nose, swelling or drooping of the eyelid. Causes The causes of chronic daily headaches are not well understood. Some may be caused by various underlying diseases or conditions, including: * Inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain * Infections, such as meningitis * Intracranial pressure that's either too high or too low * Pinched nerves in the neck * Brain tumor * Traumatic brain injury In most cases, however, chronic daily headaches don't have an underlying physical cause.

They may occur if you develop a heightened response to pain signals or if the part of your brain that suppresses pain signals isn't working properly. Many people who have chronic daily headaches are actually experiencing a rebound effect from taking pain medication too frequently. If you are taking pain medications — even over-the-counter analgesics — more than two days a week, you're at risk of developing rebound headaches.

Risk factors Chronic daily headaches are more common in women than in men. Various factors may increase the risk of developing chronic daily headaches, including: * Anxiety * Depression * Sleep disturbances * Obesity * Snoring * Overuse of caffeine * Overuse of pain medication When to seek medical advice Occasional headaches are common. But it's important to take headaches seriously.

Consult your doctor if: * You usually have three or more headaches a week * You take a pain reliever for your headaches every day or almost every day * You need more than the recommended dose of over-the-counter pain remedies to relieve your headaches * Your headache pattern changes * Your headaches are getting worse Seek prompt medical care if your headache: * Is sudden and severe * Accompanies a fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking * Follows a head injury * Gets worse despite rest and pain medication Tests and diagnosis The doctor will ask a series of questions about your headaches, including when they started and what they feel like. Be sure to list all the medications you're taking, including the doses and frequency. Your doctor will probably do a physical exam to check for signs of illness, infection or neurological problems.

If the cause of your headaches remains uncertain, you may need blood or urine tests to identify any underlying medical conditions. Sometimes imaging studies — such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scans — are recommended. Complications If you have chronic daily headaches, you're also more likely to experience depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other psychological and physical problems.

Treatments and drugs Treatment for any underlying diseases or conditions often stops chronic daily headaches. When no underlying diseases or conditions are present, treatment focuses on preventing the pain before it starts. Specific prevention strategies vary, depending on which type of headache you have and on whether medication overuse is contributing to these headaches.

If you're taking pain relievers more than two days a week, the first step in treatment may be to stop using these drugs. When you're ready to begin preventive therapy, your doctor may recommend: * Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants — including amitriptyline and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) — are the most common preventive medications for all types of chronic daily headaches except hemicrania continua.

These medications can also help treat the depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances that often accompany chronic daily headaches. Another antidepressant — such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (Prozac) — may occasionally be an effective alternative for some people. * Beta blockers.

These drugs, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, are also a mainstay for preventing episodic migraines. Beta blockers include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard) and propranolol (Inderal). Sometimes beta blockers are prescribed in combination with antidepressants for better results.

* Anti-seizure medications. Some anti-seizure drugs seem to prevent migraines. Now these medications may be used to prevent chronic daily headaches as well.

Options may include divalproex (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax). * NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), ketoprofen and mefenamic acid (Ponstel) — may be helpful, especially if you're going through withdrawal from other pain relievers.

They may also be used periodically when the headache is more severe. * Others. Injections of a local anesthetic around a nerve (nerve block) or injections of a numbing agent and corticosteroid at the point of pain (trigger point injections) are sometimes recommended for chronic daily headaches.

Although their role needs to be better defined, botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections provide relief for some people as well. Unfortunately, some chronic daily headaches remain resistant to all medications. Prevention Taking good care of yourself can help prevent chronic daily headaches.

* Avoid headache triggers. If you're not sure what triggers your headaches, keep a headache diary. Include details about every headache.

When did it start? What were you doing at the time? What did you eat that day?

How did you sleep the night before? What's your stress level? How long did the headache last?

What, if anything, provided relief? Eventually, you may begin to see a pattern — and be able to take steps to prevent future headaches. * Get enough sleep.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day — even on weekends. If you're not tired at bedtime, read or watch television until you become drowsy and fall asleep naturally. * Don't skip meals.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast. Eat lunch and dinner at about the same time every day. Avoid any food or drinks, such as those containing caffeine, that seem to trigger headaches.

* Exercise regularly. Physical activity causes your body to release chemicals that block pain signals to your brain. With your doctor's OK, choose activities you enjoy — such as walking, swimming or cycling.

To avoid injury, start slowly. * Stop smoking. Smoking can trigger chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headaches.

Gher levels of nicotine are also associated with increased anxiety and depression. * Reduce stress. Get organized.

Simplify your schedule. Plan ahead. Stay positive.

* Relax. Try yoga, meditation or relaxation exercises. Set aside time to slow down.

Listen to music, read a book or take a hot bath. Coping and support Chronic daily headaches can interfere with your job, your relationships and your quality of life. But you can cope with the challenges.

* Take control. Commit yourself to living a full, satisfying life. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that works for you.

Take good care of yourself. Do things that lift your spirits. Set aside time for your loved ones — and yourself — every day.

* Seek understanding. Don't expect friends and loved ones to instinctively know what's best for you. Ask for what you need, whether it's time alone or less attention focused on your headaches.

* Check out support groups. When your head is throbbing, companionship may be the last thing on your mind — but perhaps it's just what you need. A support group can put you face to face with people who share your physical symptoms and emotional responses.

You may learn useful coping strategies — or help others by sharing some of your own. * Consider counseling. A counselor or therapist can help you manage stress and maintain your emotional balance.

Through therapy, you can learn to change behavior that's not good for you and reinforce behavior that's helping you manage your headaches. Alternative medicine For many people, complementary or alternative therapies offer welcome relief from headache pain.It's important to be cautious, however. Not all complementary or alternative therapies have been studied as headache treatments, and others need further research.

* Acupuncture. This ancient technique uses hair-thin needles to promote the release of natural painkillers and other chemicals in the central nervous system. There is some evidence that it can help control headaches and other conditions that cause chronic pain.

* Biofeedback. With this relaxation technique, you can learn to control headaches by producing changes in bodily responses such as muscle tension, heart rate and skin temperature. * Meditation.

During meditation, you focus on a simple activity, such as breathing or repeating a single word or phrase. The practice creates a deeply restful state in which your breathing slows and your muscles relax — which can help you manage pain and reduce the stress that can trigger or worsen a headache. * Massage.

Massage can reduce stress, relieve tension and promote relaxation. Although its value as a headache treatment hasn't been determined, massage may be particularly helpful if you have tight, tender muscles in the back of your head, neck and shoulders. * Herbs, vitamins and minerals.

Some dietary supplements — including magnesium, feverfew and butterbur — seem to help prevent or relieve some types of headaches, but there's only modest scientific support for these claims. If you're considering using supplements to treat headaches, check with your doctor. Some supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or have other harmful effects.

* Chiropractic care. Spinal manipulation can effectively treat some types of pain, but studies don't support claims that chiropractic care relieves headaches. Chiropractic manipulation of the neck has been associated with injury to the blood vessels supplying the brain.

Rarely, this may cause a stroke. If you'd like to try a complementary or alternative therapy, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Frankly to me it sounds as if you are having migraine headaches at this point. The sensitivity to sound, light and nausea are key factors. However, you need to find out for sure what type of headaches you are experiencing and what is the source or trigger of your headaches.

Given the level of pain killers that you are taking, I think that at this time you are likely suffering from a rebound headache. Rebound headaches can occur when a migraine sufferer takes too many painkillers over a short/long period of time. The headache keeps coming back.

Unfortunately, if you are suffering from a rebound headache, the only solution is to cut off the painkillers and take a course of steriods, if the doctor recommends it. I would see a neurologist, he/she will be able to track the headaches with you and possibly discover the cause. The also might be able to prescribe something like imitrex or zomig to take secondary to an anti-inflammatory medication when you get a headache.

If might even be a good idea to take a prophylactic medication to prevent the headache. If the computer work is what is triggering it, I would also see an ophthalmologist to see if you need your prescription adjusted.

The best method to cure chronic headaches is to join yoga classes . Do some ""asanas"" you would be able to cure your headache.

I work between 12-18 hours a day in front of computers in a high-stress production support role. " There you go! That's the problem.

Remember the 10-10-10 rule. Every 10 minutes, look at something at least 10 feet away for 10 seconds. I recently asked a question about eye vision and computers, and I got some really helpful advice.

I've linked to it below. You really need to be taking 10 minute breaks at least every hour. Alos, you should not be stressing out.

What job do you work yet? Yoga and meditation sound like they could really help.

Topomax has been an excellent prophylactic for my migraines. Plus it helps you lose weight (if needed). I definitely agree with the others who said that you should see a neurologist.

If you are having migraines, pain killers are just about the worst thing you can do for them. Like the last person said, you could be causing rebound headaches. Once you get diagnosed, you probably will be able to control the headaches much better.

You will still have them from time to time but they might be fewer and far between. The dr will probably want to do an MRI of your brain so be prepared. Good luck.

You're no longer suffering from headaches, especially when you mentioned the sensitivity to light. You are suffering from migraines. Severe ones at that.

I would contact a health profession (you're local doctor) and see what they might prescribe you. There's something clearly not right between your ears, and you need to get it checked out ASAP! Especially if prescription pain killers only dull the pain.

Despite what all the idiots above say, the best method is taking a power drill to your temple. I used to have same problem, now it feels like clouds are in my pants all day everyday. But the sharp pain whenever I think about ponies can get annoying.

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